What were your thought s regarding these two fight s beforehand? Two British fighters going in as under dogs against dangerous Puncher's .How did you see the out come?
I thought Lewis had a reasonable chance of outboxing Ruddock. The most likely scenario though seemed to be a Ruddock knockout, as Lewis seemed to switch off in fights and was hittable. It was up in the air though, as Lewis had obvious potential and against Mason had shown an ability to rise to the occasion in bigger fights. The manner of the win was a big shock. Ruddock was considered to be the puncher in the fight, and if anyone was going to score an early knockout it was him. Benn appeared to be on the slide before the McClellan fight, and had lost a lot of his fire and aggression. Against the rugged but unspectacular Jimenez he was out-muscled and had to box his way to a decision win, so it seemed inconceivable that he'd be able to stand up to boxing's biggest puncher. Most people with justification were picking McClellan by quick KO, as Benn's chin had looked vulnerable in recent fights and his power didn't seem as devastating as it was at 160. It seemed like one of those Foreman-Frazier type match-ups where the physically larger guy with the bigger punch and better chin would always win a slugfest. There were question marks about McClellan's stamina, but it was expected that it would take Jones or Toney to exploit them rather than Benn.
I was nervous for Lewis before his bout vs Ruddock, I thought Ruddock was deadly and did well vs Tyson, looking back Ruddock was awful against Tyson and didn`t really throw much. I thought McClellan was going to destroy Benn the same way he KO`d Jackson, I didn`t think Benn was on the same level as G-Man and felt the 90`s Brit fighters were being overrated, but Gerald was awful against Benn apart from a strong start. Benn had gone through a string of fights at SMW where he hadn`t stopped anyone, I thought he would be out of his depth but he wasn`t.
Not me. I had a lot on LL and loved those 2-1 odds. Folks read into the Tyson fights way too much and were giving Ruddock all sorts of credit. For what? He'd only throw about 20 punches a round and land like 7. I sure didn't see deserved omni important respect due--he fought incredibly stupid & had every physical advantage possible. He sure didn't have any mental advantages though. To me, the Tyson--Ruddock fights showed these guys were not the top dogs in the division. There were new sheriff's in town and both were bound to have big problems. I also thought Tyson's reflexes had slipped pretty far after the Douglas licking. That all time stupid jab Ruddock threw was a big window opening for Mike but he was no longer sharp enough to capitalize. But the opening was there. You know the Ruddock jab---lean in with his whole body & going off balance. Throw it slow and bring his arm back slower. And then bring that left hand back low. But Mike did not have the reflexes from a few years earlier to step in quick and fire his right hand over Ruddock's shoulder. Eariler he sure did. But I was certain LL did. And would. So then we get Ruddock trying to throw a jab to the body. And Lennox comes right over the top and Ruddock never even saw it. Lewis was armed and ready and waiting for that punch to fire off his nice straight right hand. And Ruddock obliged. I did not think Ruddock had the defense to stay in there with the guy. I bet the fight big and the under big. But I had sent away for all of Lewis' fights before that and watched him develop---most folks were fortunate to maybe have watched 2 of his pro fights.
Well McClellan did suffer brain damage. Although, reading the comments section while watching the fight on YouTube, many people thought he deserved it for tying up a dog and letting his pit bulls tear it apart.
I don't remember the build up because I was too young, but from what I understand, Ruddock was expected to be the one to come out on top of this tournament. It seems strange now that in a tournament including Lewis, Bowe and Holyfield that Ruddock was picked to be the one to end up on top. I think Ruddock was considered to be Lewis biggest test that far. I also understand that Ruddock was considered too big and too strong for Holyfield and many thought he'd also wreck Holyfield.
i can understand the gut reaction, i had a dog and wouldtn let anyone hurt him, I'd be prepared to hurt someone bad in order to protect him even though he was just an animal, he was practically human to me (alsatians do have very human disneylike expressions). but in the long run, emotions aside, you cant wish such evils on someone, it changes you as a person, and thats something worth protecting too.
